The 1st Infantry Division's newest British officer was welcomed to Fort Riley on Friday with a Victory Honors ceremony in front of division headquarters, a welcome he said was a singular honor for him, his Family and the army he represents.
"And, if I may," Brig. Gen. Christopher Ghika said, "it says much for the organization and character of this great division."
Ghika, who started his military career in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and most recently commanded the Irish Guards in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, came to Fort Riley as the "Big Red One's" second British general officer. Ghika will spend the next several years serving as the division's deputy commanding general for readiness. He fills a position left by Brig. Gen. Felix G. Gedney, who departed Kansas this summer after serving with the division and deploying with it to Afghanistan.
Ghika serves alongside Brig. Gen. Sean Swindell, deputy commanding general for maneuver, and Col. Frank Muth, deputy commander for support.
"The ability of American and British forces to operate on the battlefield effectively is due in large part to the close-knit and constant training and exchange opportunities undertaken together," according to a White House press release. "Exchanging military personnel ensures a cadre of individuals in each military that understands their counterparts and cross-fertilizes the best each nation has to offer in ideas and doctrine."
Ghika said during last week's ceremony he hoped to show how privileged he felt to take up the post. The Big Red One has an immediate and enormous profile in the United Kingdom, he said, for its Soldiers' distinguished record in World Wars I and II and Desert Storm. The division's assault on Omaha Beach is essential study for any British army staff college student and its role during Desert Storm, which allowed the British Armored Division to accomplish its mission, brought the Big Red One "legendary status," Ghika said.
Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commander, said Ghika's unit, the Irish Guards, fought alongside and in front of the division and reinforced places the Big Red One also found itself -- places like North Africa in 1943, Normandy in 1944 and Basra in 2003.
The United States and United Kingdom share something greater than just a distinguished history of notable units, Funk said.
"We share a strong camaraderie that has been built on like interests, rooted in the competence, commitment and character of our men and women," he added.
While many British soldiers and officers have had the opportunity to work alongside American Soldiers in combat, very few have lived and worked in the United States, Ghika said.
"Given the reputation of your nation, your Army and your division, it is indeed a unique source of pride to me and my Family to be allowed to do this," he added.
Ghika is joined in the Flint Hills of Kansas by his wife, Clare, daughter, Alexandra, and son, Hugh. While the next two years will be professionally rewarding, he said, "for us, this is a Family posting," and the Ghikas hope to contribute to Fort Riley and the 1st Inf. Div.
"I could say we are proud to be a BRO Family and a Family that is part of this great community here in Junction City, Manhattan and the Flint Hills region," Ghika said. "I was thinking of how to explain this and I should maybe paraphrase Hugh at the end of his second day at Fort Riley Elementary when I asked him how it had all gone: 'Another brilliant day,' he said."
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